The carob is one of nature’s oldest and most precious culinary treasures. Known for their rich, sweet flavor, carob berries have been a treasured food source for generations around the world.
Native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East, the carob is an evergreen tree that can live for hundreds of years and bears an edible fruit known as ‘carob’. The fruit is a long, thin pod containing a sweet, sticky pulp and small seeds. Carob nuts have been an important ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine for centuries and have been used in a variety of dishes, from desserts to breads and drinks.
Carob berries are not only delicious, but also rich in nutrients and good for health. It contains high levels of soluble fiber that help regulate cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and is also a rich source of antioxidants that protect the body from free radical damage. Additionally, carob nuts are low in fat and low in calories, making them a healthy choice for those who follow a careful diet.
This article explores the benefits of carob, its nutritional value, uses in the kitchen, and how to incorporate it into your daily diet to improve your health and well-being. It also explores common carob myths and provides information. about where you can find and buy this delicious and healthy fruit. Get ready to learn everything there is to know about carob nuts!
Carob BENEFITS OF THE CARACONE
Participate in the organization’s defenseRelieves digestive disordersHelps lose weightReduces cholesterol levelsRegulates blood sugar levels
What is the carob?
When we talk about the carob tree, we commonly refer to the fruit of the carob tree ( Ceratonia siliqua ). This tree belongs to the Fabaceae or legume family (like lentils and fenugreek!) which includes many trees native to tropical or Mediterranean regions.
The carob tree appreciates hot and dry climates. Without these climatic conditions, it cannot produce fruit. That is why it is said that the carob tree is a «thermophilic» tree. The carob grows mainly around the Mediterranean (Portugal, Spain, Maghreb…) and in Turkey.
The longevity, huge trunk, rough bark, giant leaves and drooping pods of the carob tree make it a a true botanical curiosity.
But in cooking and herbal medicine, it is above all the seeds of the carob tree that are of interest.
After flowering, the carob tree produces long green pods each with a dozen seeds.
However, prior to harvest, the pods are not harvested until the following summer, when they are fully ripe and have turned a nice brown colour.
The pods of the carob tree are the origin of its scientific name. «Ceratonia » comes from the Greek «κεράτια» which means «little horn» in reference to the curved shape of the pods. The Latin term » siliqua «refers simply to a pod.
Even today, the carob is still using of many ways. Its wood is appreciated in marquetry, its seeds are used in certain soft drinks, for the production of chewing gum or confectionery.
Carob seeds are also an excellent substitute for chocolate in sweet preparations. They are used to make carob seed flour, which is naturally gluten-free.
Today, Spain, Morocco and Italy are the top 3 carob producers. The seeds are not only sold to the food industry. Their fiber, protein, vitamin and active antioxidant content also make them very interesting superfoods for health.
Nutritional composition
Sugars: glucose, sucroseStarchfibersProteinvitamins: A, B, B2, E, D2Tannins: Gallic acidAntioxidant assets: polyphenols, myricetin, quercetinPectinMinerals and trace elements: potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, silica, iron…
10 benefits of carob
The carob fruit is a fruit that has been used for centuries in Mediterranean cuisine, and is valued both for its delicious flavor and for its multiple health benefits. Here are 10 benefits of this fruit that will surely surprise you:
Rich in antioxidants: The fruit of the carob tree is rich in antioxidants that help protect the body against free radicals and prevent chronic diseases.fiber source: The fruit of the carob tree is an excellent source of soluble fiber, which helps to regulate intestinal transit and reduce the risk of digestive diseases.Improves digestion: The carob fruit contains a substance called pectin, which helps reduce intestinal inflammation and improve digestion.Helps control cholesterol: The fruit of the carob tree contains gallic acid, a substance that has been shown to be effective in reducing blood cholesterol levels.Control Diabetes: The soluble fiber in the carob fruit helps control blood sugar levels, making it a great choice for people with diabetes.Provides energy: Carob fruit is rich in complex carbohydrates, which are slowly absorbed and provide sustained energy throughout the day.Beneficial for the skin: The antioxidants in the carob fruit help protect the skin from sun damage and prevent premature aging.Natural anti-inflammatory: The fruit of the carob tree contains a substance called quercetin, which helps reduce inflammation in the body and prevent chronic diseases such as arthritis and asthma.Improves bone health: The fruit of the carob tree is rich in calcium, magnesium and other nutrients that are essential for bone health.Promotes Weight Loss: The carob fruit is low in calories and fat, and its high fiber content helps reduce appetite and control cravings for unhealthy foods.
The carob fruit is a delicious and highly nutritious fruit that offers a wide variety of health benefits. Its high fiber content, antioxidants, and other nutrients make it an excellent option to incorporate into our daily diet and improve our overall health and well-being.
The benefits of carob
Participate in the defenses
Carob seeds contain a significant amount of antioxidant assets like polyphenols. These organic molecules, present in many plants, effectively fight free radicals and limit their damage.
The vitamins of the carob also participate in the body’s defenses.
Vitamin A, for example, supports the functioning of the immune system and delays cell aging, just like vitamin E. Vitamin B2 (or riboflavin) is involved in the production of many enzymes and in the regeneration of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant.
Finally, carob seeds also contain iron, which is a component of antioxidant enzymes of the body.
This study from the University of Bonn, carried out directly on carob pods, shows their high concentration of polyphenols.
Relieves digestive disorders
Carob seeds are a precious help to relieve digestive and gastrointestinal disorders: difficult digestion, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, stomach aches, lazy intestines, colon irritations…
Thanks to his tall fiber content (40 g per 100 g), carob contributes to the proper functioning of intestinal transit. It is an excellent antidiarrheal agent but also a natural laxative that facilitates the progression of feces in the colon. As such, they can be compared to chia seeds.
The seeds also contain pectin, a plant substance that protects the gastric mucosa and intestinal walls. Carob also helps improve intestinal flora thanks to its prebiotic effect.
This study from the Ibn Khaldun University (Tunisia) and the Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University (Algeria), carried out directly on bacterial strains, shows how carob improves the proliferation of «friendly» bacteria Lactobacillus fermentum present in the digestive system.
Reduces cholesterol levels
Numerous investigations have confirmed the interest of the carob for reduce the level of «bad cholesterol» (or LDL cholesterol) and triglycerides in the blood. This action is due to the presence of polyphenols and soluble fibers.
At the same time that they increase the level of «good cholesterol» (or HDL cholesterol), the polyphenols of the carob fight against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. This prevents the formation of plaque in the arteries, which is responsible for atherosclerosis.
Soluble fiber also helps lower cholesterol levels by limiting the absorption of carbohydrates and fats.
This study from King Abdulaziz University (Saudi Arabia), conducted on rats, shows that carob can be effective in reducing hypercholesterolemia.
Another study from the University of Potsdam, conducted on patients with high blood cholesterol, shows that carob consumption reduced their LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Regulates blood sugar levels
The carob tree is interesting for diabetics because it has a hypoglycemic effect .
Participates in the control and reduction of blood sugar levels, despite its high glucose and sucrose content. In fact, the large amount of soluble fiber it contains is enough to slow the absorption of these sugars.
However, one must be careful: it tends to increase insulin sensitivity and interact with antidiabetic medications. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor for advice before taking carob.
In this study, conducted in adults at the Athens Agricultural University, researchers studied the effects of carob on blood sugar levels.
Helps lose weight
Thanks to his tall contained in fiber and low fat, carob is a good ally when you want to lose weight. The fibers contained in the seeds are the so-called «soluble» fibers: once in the stomach, they swell, thicken and form a kind of gel. Thanks to this process, carob promotes a feeling of satiety and acts as a natural appetite suppressant.
Due to its richness in nutrients, the carob tree is also interesting for avoid deficiencies during a diet. Of course, like cocoa, it should not be consumed in excess because it is relatively caloric (220 kcal per 100 g).
Studies are still needed to assess the effectiveness of carob for weight loss.
How do you eat the carob?
Carob powder or flour
In organic and specialized stores or on the Internet, you can easily find carob powder or flour. Is obtained grinding the whole pod of the carob tree This is the most widely used form as a substitute for chocolate in sweet preparations. It is also used in the manufacture of food supplements in the form of capsules.
Carob powder or flour mixes easily into pastry recipes or just in…